If you want to make new friends, expand your social circle, or even find someone special, there are excellent apps that facilitate these connections. Below, you'll find a selection of five apps available for Android and iOS that were designed specifically to help you meet new people based on shared interests, location, and goals. All of them can be downloaded below.
1- Tinder
Tinder is one of the most popular apps in the world for meeting new people. While it's known as a dating app, it also offers the option to find friends or social network.
Tinder: dating app
Its usability is simple: users create a profile with photos and a brief description, and then begin swiping right (like) or left (pass) on other people's profiles. When there's a "match"—that is, when two people like each other—a conversation can begin.
Tinder's unique feature lies in its large user base and geolocation, which allows you to find people near you. Additionally, features like "Tinder Social" (in previous versions) and "Travel Mode" (in the premium version) help you connect with people beyond your city. The experience is fluid, with an intuitive interface and numerous profile customization options.
2- Bumble
Bumble is a multi-purpose app that lets you meet people for three purposes: dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF), and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). This versatility is one of the app's biggest draws.
Bumble: date, friends and network
In the friendship version, Bumble BFF, you'll find people who are also looking for friends, travel companions, or even hobby partners. The dynamic is similar to Tinder, but with an important difference: in dating connections, only women can initiate the conversation (in heterosexual relationships), promoting a safer approach.
Bumble stands out for its inclusive approach, modern design, and the variety of goals it serves. It's intuitive to use, and the app offers efficient filters to find exactly the type of person you want to meet. It's an excellent choice for both those seeking love and friendship.
3- Meetup
Meetup is ideal for those looking to make new connections based on shared interests. Rather than functioning as a chat or dating app, it connects people through in-person or online events, such as hiking groups, book clubs, language courses, workshops, and more.
Meetup: Events near you
You can join existing groups or create your own, hosting meetups on topics you enjoy. It's a very effective way to meet new people naturally and with shared goals.
The app has a well-organized layout, with thematic categories that help you filter events by location, interest, and date. The key differentiator is the focus on collective experiences rather than just digital conversations. This allows for more authentic and enriching interactions.
4- Slowly
Slowly is an app that revives the art of letter-writing—only in digital format. It was created for those who want to make friends around the world and value deeper conversations, without the rush of traditional instant messaging apps.
Slowly: Making friends by letter
When you sign up, you create an avatar, select your interests, and start exchanging messages with people with similar interests. The difference is that messages take a time proportional to the distance between users to be delivered, mimicking the time it would take for a real letter to arrive.
This encourages more thoughtful and meaningful communication. Slowly is perfect for those who want to meet people from other cultures, practice languages, and form lasting friendships. The interface is charming, with a nostalgic feel and a total focus on the user experience.
5- Yubo
Yubo is an app geared toward socializing and making new friends, especially among young people. It combines elements of social networking and live streaming, creating a dynamic and interactive experience.
Yubo: Make new friends
On Yubo, you can host group live streams, join interest-based chat rooms, and add people with similar interests. The app also lets you swipe through profiles, similar to Tinder, but with a focus on friendships rather than romantic relationships.
Yubo's biggest selling point is its live streaming feature with up to 10 video participants, as well as its automated moderation system for user safety. It's ideal for those who enjoy real-time interactions and want to make new friends in a young, modern, and safe environment.
Featured Features
These apps offer different approaches to the same goal: meeting new people. Below, we've highlighted the most common and useful features among them:
- Geolocation: Present in apps like Tinder, Bumble and Yubo, this feature makes it easier to find people nearby.
- Interest filters: Essential for finding connections with real affinities. Available in all apps on the list.
- Match system: Tinder, Bumble, and Yubo use this mechanic to ensure that both parties are interested in interacting.
- In-person and online events: Meetup's biggest differentiator is that it provides collective experiences based on interests.
- Intentionally delayed messages: In Slowly, this feature creates a digital letter-exchange experience, fostering more thoughtful conversations.
- Group Lives: Yubo stands out with this feature that brings people together in real time through video
Meeting new people can be easier than it seems, especially with the help of apps designed to facilitate the process. Whether you're looking to make new friends, join groups with shared interests, or even start connections around the world, there are a variety of options to suit your style and goals.
The important thing is to choose the app that best aligns with your needs: something more casual, like Tinder; focused on friendship, like Bumble or Yubo; or geared toward group experiences, like Meetup. With the help of these apps, expanding your social network is literally just a few clicks away.
